We are honored to be joined this year by keynote speaker Jelani Brown, a young man from Ferguson, Missouri, who was involved in the organizing in response to the police killing of an unarmed Black teenager Mike Brown. He will speak about his experiences growing up in the St. Louis area, organizing his community since Mike Brown's death, and a vision of this movement going forward.

Seattle has one of the largest annual Martin Luther King Day Celebrations in the U.S. We honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for his work toward racial equality and toward economic justice for all people, for his commitment to nonviolence, and for his stand against war and militarism.

Our theme this year "Fight for Your Rights in 2015!" reflects the unfinished work and our commitment to working toward Dr. King's goals. As Dr. King said, "Three hundred years of humiliation, abuse and deprivation cannot be expected to find voice in a whisper."

Equally important to Dr. King, in addition to demanding equal rights, was to conduct the struggle in a principled manner, with self-disciplined activists using nonviolent means. Speaking proudly of the demonstrations in Birmingham, Dr. King said that some spectators had thrown bottles, "But the demonstrators remained nonviolent. In the face of this resolution and bravery, the moral conscience of the nation was deeply stirred."

Education was a big part of all of Dr. King's campaigns, for instance he said in 1961, "In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, such as 'right to work.' It is a law to rob us of our civil rights and job rights. Its purpose is to destroy labor unions ... "

In 1959, Dr. King made this call to the struggle, "As June approaches, with its graduation ceremonies and speeches, a thought suggests itself... Whatever career you may choose for yourself—doctor, lawyer, teacher—let me propose an avocation to be pursued along with it. Become a dedicated fighter for civil rights. Make it a central part of your life. It will make you a better doctor, a better lawyer, a better teacher. It will enrich your spirit as nothing else possibly can. It will give you that rare sense of nobility that can only spring from love and selflessly helping your fellow man . Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for human rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in."

If Dr. King were alive today, he would be urging us all to "Fight for Your Rights in 2015!"

You can also forward questions or inquiries to the new Executive Committee members at mlkseattle@gmail.com

The 32nd annual region-wide Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration was a huge success with nearly 6,000 participants! Continue to be active in your local and national communities to rise up and restore Dr. King's vision. The Committee will begin planning the 2015 salute to Dr. King in October 2014.

"The problem of racism, the problem of economic exploitation, and the problem of war are all tied together. These are the triple evils that are interrelated."

-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

1/19/11History of the MLK Celebration CommitteeThe Martin Luther King Celebration Committee is composed of dozens of grassroots, labor, business, minority, and progressive community organizations and volunteers from throughout the Puget Sound region. Annually, these groups come together and organize our community's largest tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.read more

Accessibility information for people with disabilities:There is a wheelchair accessible entrance on the backside of the school.
This is the area near the track. The area is flat and provides access to the school building & gym.
The parking lot in the back will be reserved, but Access vans will be permitted to drop people off.
There is also an elevator that goes to the second floor.